KUCHING, Nov 21: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii opined that the Raspberry Pi computer, which the state government intends to procure for primary schools in Sarawak, is not suitable for students and teachers as it does not run Microsoft’s Windows or Apple’s Mac operating system (OS).
Dr Yii pointed out that the Raspberry Pi uses Linux OS called Raspbian, which many ordinary computer users are not familiar with as compared to Windows or Mac OS.
The Raspberry Pi, he elaborated, is basically a single board computer with HDMI output, bluetooth, WiFi, USB connectors and ethernet ports embedded.
“The latest Pi 4 has a 1.5GHz ARM CPU running on 2-8GB of RAM. It uses a Linux OS called Raspbian OS.
“Installing softwares is time consuming and complicated for primary school students. It does not run on Windows or Mac, which students are more familiar with.
“On top of that, most teachers are also not familiar with Linux OS. All these tech devices should be user-friendly so that it does not create technical barriers for it to be fully utilised,” he highlighted in a statement today.
He was commenting on Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong’s announcement on government’s plan to purchase these compact single board computers to aid in the teaching of students in schools starting from next year.
While supporting the adoption of modern technology in education so as to provide better learning and teaching environment for students and teachers, Yii however pressed that it was also important for the government to demonstrate transparency to avoid wastage and to ensure suitability of this computer model for the usage of primary school students.
“We do not want to end up wasting RM12 million for something that may not be user-friendly for students and even teachers and at the end of the day, not achieving the intended outcome to provide a conducive learning environment,” he said while referring to the previous 1Malaysia Notebook project which wasted up to RM400 million.
Even though the Raspberry Pi may have decent processing speed, he added that it cannot be used to replace a full fledge computer as it cannot run Windows software like Microsoft Office which carried the programmes such as Words, Excel and PowerPoint which are important for students.
“That is why the Minister should come out with the justification on the choice of such computers for our primary school students.
“If the government intends to narrow the digital gap between urban and rural, then I suggest that they look at finding ways to assist the students to purchase proper laptops so that they can also use for their home-based learning especially during this Covid-19 period,” he suggested.
Dr Yii also urged the state government to provide more information on its plan to spend RM12 million for the purchase of Raspberry Pi 5 computers for 1,265 primary schools in  Sarawak.
“How many computers is the state government planning to purchase with RM12 million and how will these computers be distributed to each primary school?
“Who has obtained this tender and was it done by open tender to get the most competitive price for the computers and not merely to profit any single crony with inflated prices at expense of public funds?,” he asked.
He reiterated that the government should be transparent with all the concerns raised to ensure Sarawak will not repeat the past mistake and wastage.
Meanwhile, Manyin disclosed that the Raspberry Pi 5 computers is expected to be distributed to schools beginning from January 2021.
The project is an alternative programme of the state government to allow school children, particularly in rural areas where telco companies find it not commercially viable to build towers, to be able to enjoy Internet connection.
He said that the Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) will supply all the Raspberry Pi computers which were ordered from England.
However, Manyin added that the delivery of the computers will take some time due to the lockdown there. — DayakDaily
